内容

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Implementation

‘The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn in New York’ will display 25 pieces which were exhibited in Matsue, 2 pieces from the American College of Greece, and 2 of Hearn’s cherished personal items from the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum Matsue. The Nippon Club was established in 1905 by Dr. Jokichi Takamine and currently boasts 1,100 members. Although Hearn and Takamine didn’t actually meet, they were both enthusiastic about the New Orleans Exposition, and when Takamine returned to Japan, he took the opportunity during his lectures to call on the Japanese government to give precedence to people such as Hearn who showed compassion for Japan, and would introduce Japan to the world.

There will be a display of over 20 beautifully bound first editions of Hearn’s books, mostly published by New York publishing houses such as Harper & Brothers, Houghton, Mifflin & Co. and Macmillan & Co. (The Efstathiou Family Collection)

Hearn was the first author to disseminate the word ‘Tsunami’ to the west. Deeply moved by the human suffering of the Great Sanriku Tsunami of June 1896, it wasn’t long before he put pen to paper and produced his next story, ‘A Living God’, which was posted in the December issue of the ‘Atlantic Monthly’ By viewing a first edition of ‘A Living God’ at this exhibition, visitors may see Hearn’s unprecedented curiosity and awe for natural disasters as well as the importance of this visionary man who passed these things on to succeeding generations.

By the sheer power of his penmanship, Hearn increased awareness of natural disaster response throughout the world, including New York. This exhibition aims to offer support to those affected by the Eastern Japan earthquake.

The Open Mind of Lafcadio Hearn

Mr. Takis Efstathiou, a Greek art coordinator, along with Mr. Masaaki Noda, a New York based artist, have been cherishing this project since 1996. A monument produced by Mr. Noda and titled by Mr. Efstathiou was installed on the campus of The American College of Greece in October 2009. An art exhibition under the same title, featuring works from all over the world, was held in the ACG Art Gallery. Noda Masaaki once more donated a monument of the same design, which was erected this time on the shore of Lake Shinji. Takis Efstathiou continues to play a part in increasing awareness of Hearn’s open minded philosophy by giving others the opportunity to view his enviable collection of valuable editions of Hearn’s works.